Pneumatic metal sampler

ABSTRACT

A molten metal sampler includes pressure reducing apparatus for pneumatically filling a sample mold in which the pressure reducing apparatus is detachably coupled to a paperboard tube carrying the sample mold by a tapered plug which detachably and sealingly interfits in the open end of the paperboard tube carrying the sample cartridge.

United States Patent [191 Falk 1451 Sept. 16, 1975 1 PNEUMATIC METAL SAMPLER [76] Inventor: Richard A. Falk, 519 Westminster Dr., Waukesha, Wis. 53203 [22] Filed: June 7, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 367,919

[52] US. Cl 73/425.6; 73/D1G. 9 [51] Int. Cl. G0ln 1/12 [58] Field of Search 73/4254 R, DIG. 9

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,315,529 4/1967 Feichtinger 73/DlG. 9 3,415,124 12/1968 Collins 73/DIG. 9 3,455,164 7/1969 Boyle... 73/DlG. 9 3,481,201 12/1969 Falk 73/DlG. 9

3,559,452 2/1971 Perbix 73/D1G. 9 3,751,986 8/1973 Boron 73/4254 R 3,791,220 2/1974 Falk et al 73/DIG. 9

Primary ExaminerS. Clement Swisher Attorney, Agent, or FirmHenry C. Fuller 5 ABSTRACT A molten metal sampler includes pressure reducing apparatus for pneumatically filling a sample mold in which the pressure reducing apparatus is detachably coupled to a paperboard tube carrying the sample mold by a tapered plug which detachably and sealingly interfits in the open end of the paperboard tube carrying the sample cartridge.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1 PNEUMATIC METAL sAMPp SUMMARY OF INVENTION and prevents molten metal from adhering to the projecting mold parts 26.

The invention provides a pneumatic molten metal I sampler in which a sample mold is carried within a tubular paperboard sleeve or housing with a fill tube projecting from the sample mold and housing for immersion in any source of clean molten metal, such aslan ingot, ladle or ton dish. The pressure reducing apparatus can include a pump having a spring-loaded piston which is detachably coupled to the paperboard sleeve by a tapered plug which is threadably connected to the pump and which sealingly interfits in the end of the paperboard tube. The plug has a through aperture for evacuating the air from the sample mold.

A modified embodiment of the invention includes a pin sample tube which extends from the sample cavity DRAWINGS Inaccordance with the invention, connector or coupling'means are provided for detachably connecting the sampler to pressure reducing means 64. The pressure reducing means 64 canbe in the form as shown in FIG. 1 and as described in detail in my copending U.S. application Ser. No. 280,010 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,791,220 a'ndjincludes a pressure cylinder 66 and 1a spring-loaded piston 68. In the disclosed construction, the coupling means comprises a plug 70 having an external taper 72' which diminishes in size toward the sample mold when the plug is assembled in the tube 11 as shown. The end 73 of the plug 70 can have a cylindrical non-tapered surface. I I I The frusto-conicalplug 70' is provided with an air vent oi passage 74 and can be constructed of a metal, such asaluminum'fThe paperboard tube yields slightly as the plug 70 is inserted to provide a tight fit and effec- FIG. 1 is a side elevational view in section showing the metal sampling apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view alongline 22 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is' a modified embodiment of the sampler which includes a pin sample tube.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with a modified.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. The scope of the invention is defined in the claims appended hereto.

The sampler 10 includes wall means 11 defining a cy-,

lindrical or tubular housing having upper and lowr ends 14 and 16 and an interior 18. The sample mold 12 can be constructed of two mold, half sections 22 and 24 (FIG. 2) with eachhalf section including a semicylindrical projecting portion 26 which extends from the mold cavity 28 and embraces a mold fill tube 30 which can be fused quartz. p

The mold parts 22, 24 are retained in assembly by a tab 32 which is welded to the adjacentedges of the mold half sections and also serves as a spacer to separate the half sections and provide a gap 34 to enable removal of the air in the sample cavity. The mold half sections 22, 24 are also held together by a ceramic disc 40 which has a shoulder 42 which abuts the end 16 of the tubular housing. A bead of refractory cement 44 secures the refractory disc 40 to the sleeve 11.

The sampler can also include a paperboard tube 46" which is arranged around the projecting metal mold parts 26 and secured by refractory cement at 48 and 50. The tube 46 provides support for the fill tube 30 tive seal to insurea good vacuum to cause fillin g lo f the sample mold 'l2. The plug canbe connected to; the pressure reducing means by a threaded counterbore 76 w hichis threadably connected to the end 78 of atube or pipe 80 ion the pressure reducing means 64 wax or thermoplastic coating 75 on the inside,

face of sleeve 12 adjacent end 14 provides a good uumseal. A coating 79 of glue between the discf40 and. the end 16 of sleeve 12 provides an air seal at the other,

end of the sleeve 12. I

FIG. 3 shows a modified embodiment ofgthe tion in which the sample cavity 28 is .providedwith, a

loop82 of a helical coil of deoxidantsuch as alurpinum.

An aluminum wire having a diameter of 0.015inch has,

been successfully tested. The loop 82 ofwire alsoprovides effective deoxidation of thepin sampleobtained in the pin sampletube.84. The pin sample tube 84 ex tends through an aperture 86 in the sample mold 12 for. communication with the mold cavity 28. The freeend 88 of the tube 84 can abut the refractory disc 40.; Re-

fractory cement at 90 secures the'tube 84 to the disc 40 to provide support for the tube 84. A vent is not necessary at the endof the pin sample tube remotefrom the sample mold as with non-pneumatic samplers be,- cause the pressure reducing apparatus causes a partial vacuum in both the sample cavity 28 and the pin Sam-Q ple tube 84 insuring filling with molten metal. Thusthe free end 88 of the tube could be closed. It also can be open and spaced from the disc 40. 1

A'paperboard sleeve 87 arranged around the fill tube 85 and cemented to disc 40 by refractory cement 83 provides additional support for the fill tube 85. Refractory cement 9l'secures the sample tube84 to the sleeve 87.

' FIG. 4 shows a modified embodiment of the sampling apparatus in which the plug has a greater length than the plug 70, and the paperboard sleeve l0lhas an greater lengththan the sleeve 11. Forinstance, the I sleeve 11 may be-seven inches long and the sleeve 101 wire 110 can be secured in place by a weld at 112 to the tab 32 which is also welded to the sample mold. The wire is desirably of zirconium which has a melting point higher than the temperature of'the molten metal being sampled and soluble in the metal at a rate which insures the presence of the deoxidant during the filling period.

FIG. shows a modified embodiment of a sampler in which the sampler 120 has a cylindrical refractory sample cartridge 122 which is ina snug fit in a paperboard sleeve 123. An upper end wall 124 is secured and sealed in place by a bead 126 of refractory cement. The bottom of the sample cartridge is formed by a refractory disc 128 which has an aperture for receiving a fill tube 130. Air is evacuated from the sample cavity 132 by use of pressure reducing apparatus such as that shown in FIG. 1. The pressure reducing apparatus is connected to the sampler by a tapered plug of the type shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 4. Air is exhausted from the sample cavity through aperture 134. I

FIG. 6 shows an additional embodiment of a sampler 140 in which the sample cartridge 142 is in the form of a refractory cylinder in a snug fit in a paperboard tube 144. Refractory discs 146 and 148 define the ends of the sample cavity 150. The disc 148 is provided with apertures 152 and 154 for respectively receiving a pin sample tube 156 and fill tube 158. The pin sample tube 156 can beopen' and spaced from refractory disc 160. When air is exhausted from the sample cavity 150, it is also exhausted from the zone 162 located between the disc 148 and the disc 160. A coil of deoxidant 164 can be employed alone or in conjunction with deoxidant in other physical forms.

A tapered plug 166 is also employed for connection of the sampler 140 to pressure reducing apparatus.

The'embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6provide cylindrical-shaped samples whereas I the samplers shown in FIGS. 1 4 provide annular disc-shaped samples.

What is claimed is:

11A molten metal sampler comprising wall means defining a sample mold having a mold cavity and an air vent, wall means defining a housing, said sample mold including a fill tube, securing means for securing said sample mold in the interior of said housing in a fixed position with said fill tube projecting from said housing during use and permitting ready separation of said mold from said housing to retrieve said sample, said securing means further providing an air seal between said housing and said mold cavity forwardly of the mold cavity, pressure reducing means for reducing the pressure in said sample mold, and coupling means for dey tachably coupling said pressure reducing means to said housing to'provide for rapid assembly and disassembly of said housing from said pressure reducing means and further provide an air seal between said pressure reducing means and said housing to afford evacuation of said housing and said sample mold by activation of said pressure reducing means, and including a length of deoxidant fixed to said wall means defining a sample cavity, said deoxidantextendingthrough said sample. cavity and said fill tube.

2. A molten metal sampler comprising wall means defining a mold cavity shaped to mold an annular disc, an aperture in said wall means, a pin sample tube extending through said aperture and having an inlet in communication with said mold cavity, a coil of deoxidant arranged around said mold cavity in a circular path in contact with the annular walls of said mold cavity and held in contact with the walls by the spring tension of the coil.

3. A molten metal sampler comprising wall means defining a sample mold having a mold cavity and an air vent, wall means defining a housing, said sample mold including a fill tube, securing means for securing said sample mold in the interior of said housing in a fixed position with said fill tube projecting from said housing during use and permitting ready separation of said mold from said housing to retrieve said sample, said securing means further providing an air seal between said housing and said mold cavity forwardly of the mold cavity, pressure reducing means for reducing the pressure in said sample mold, and coupling means for detachably coupling said pressure reducing means to said housing to provide for rapid assembly and disassembly of said housing from said pressure reducing means and further provide an air seal between said pressure reducing means and said housing to afford evacuation of said housing and said sample mold by activation of said pressure reducing means, and including an aperture in said wall means defining said sample mold, a pin sample tube extending through said aperture and having an open end communicating-with saidmold cavity.

4. A molten metal sampler comprising wall means defining a sample mold having a mold cavity and an air vent, wall means defining a housing, said sample mold including a fill tube, securing means for securing said sample mold in the interior of said housing in a fixed position with said fill tube projecting from said housing during use and permitting ready separation of said mold from said housing to retrieve said sample, said securing means further providing an air seal between said housing and. said mold cavity forwardly of the mold cavity, pressure reducing means for reducing the pressure in said sample mold, and coupling means for detachably coupling said pressure reducing means to said housing to provide for rapid assembly and disassembly of said housing from said pressure reducing means and further provide an air seal between said pressure reducing means and said housing to afford evacuation of said housing and said sample mold by activation of said pressure reducing means, and wherein said wall means defining a sample mold comprises a cylindrical wall located within said wall means defining a housing, upper and lower discs forming end walls for said sample mold and apertures in said disc for affording communication with said pressure reducing means and a source of molten metal.

5. A sampler in accordance with claim 4 including a pin sample tube including a pin sample tube extending through an aperture in one of said discs and said tube having a free open end. 

1. A molten metal sampler comprising wall means defining a sample mold having a mold cavity and an air vent, wall means defining a housing, said sample mold including a fill tube, securing means for securing said sample mold in the interior of said housing in a fixed position with said fill tube projecting from said housing during use and permitting ready separation of said mold from said housing to retrieve said sample, said securing means further providing an air seal between said housing and said mold cavity forwardly of the mold cavity, pressure reducing means for reducing the pressure in said sample mold, and coupling means for detachably coupling said pressure reducing means to said housing to provide for rapid assembly and disassembly of said housing from said pressure reducing means and further provide an air seal between said pressure reducing means and said housing to afford evacuation of said housing and said sample mold by activation of said pressure reducing means, and including a length of deoxidant fixed to said wall means defining a sample cavity, said deoxidant extending through said sample cavity and said fill tube.
 2. A molten metal sampler comprising wall means defining a mold cavity shaped to mold an annular disc, an aperture in said wall means, a pin sample tube extending through said aperture and having an inlet in communication with said mold cavity, a coil of deoxidant arranged around said mold cavity in a circular path in contact with the annular walls of said mold cavity and held in contact with the walls by the spring tension of the coil.
 3. A molten metal sampler comprising wall means defining a sample mold having a mold cavity and an air vent, wall means defining a housing, said sample mold including a fill tube, securing means for securing said sample mold in the interior of said housing in a fixed position with said fill tube projecting from said housing during use and permitting ready separation of said mold from said housing to retrieve said sample, said securing means further providing an air seal between said housing and said mold cavity forwardly of the mold cavity, pressure reducing means for reducing the pressure in said sample mold, and coupling means for detachably coupling said pressure reducing means to said housing to provide for rapid assembly and disassembly of said housing from said pressure reducing means and further provide an air seal between said pressure reducing means and said housing to afford evacuation of said housing and said sample mold by activation of said pressuRe reducing means, and including an aperture in said wall means defining said sample mold, a pin sample tube extending through said aperture and having an open end communicating with said mold cavity.
 4. A molten metal sampler comprising wall means defining a sample mold having a mold cavity and an air vent, wall means defining a housing, said sample mold including a fill tube, securing means for securing said sample mold in the interior of said housing in a fixed position with said fill tube projecting from said housing during use and permitting ready separation of said mold from said housing to retrieve said sample, said securing means further providing an air seal between said housing and said mold cavity forwardly of the mold cavity, pressure reducing means for reducing the pressure in said sample mold, and coupling means for detachably coupling said pressure reducing means to said housing to provide for rapid assembly and disassembly of said housing from said pressure reducing means and further provide an air seal between said pressure reducing means and said housing to afford evacuation of said housing and said sample mold by activation of said pressure reducing means, and wherein said wall means defining a sample mold comprises a cylindrical wall located within said wall means defining a housing, upper and lower discs forming end walls for said sample mold and apertures in said disc for affording communication with said pressure reducing means and a source of molten metal.
 5. A sampler in accordance with claim 4 including a pin sample tube including a pin sample tube extending through an aperture in one of said discs and said tube having a free open end. 